Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor 44 years ago today. This is was the "day that will live in infamy". What ever your beliefs about war and peace, I think it is important that we remember those who died.For an history about the attack, including survivor stories go to: http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor
Most people don't remember these significant days in history. Veteran's Day for example, how many people out there really know that it was a day reserved to honor those that serve in the military. The date is significant because of World War I – known at the time as “The Great War”. This war officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919 , in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles , France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918 , is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
I wonder that someday September 11 will be forgotten and just become another excuse for a store to have a Patriot's day sale. At least they don't have a "Pearl Harbor Day" sale...
So take a moment to remember those that died that morning in a Oahu harbor.
posted by Deeboh @ 5:28 PM
2 Comments:
An excellent article, Deb. We flew over the Arizona on the way to Kaua'i. That is as close as I've ever been to the monument. I know that the Arizona monument is sinking--I don't know what they plan to do to preserve it. But this was well written and thought provoking. Thanks,
Adam
I visited the Arizona memorial in Hawai'i with my family when I was a teenager. It really gives you perspective to stand at the list of names and think of what has been given by so many for our country. And that ship is positively ginormous.
In high school I worked in a nursing home that had a couple of veterans. The facility had a special celebration for them on Veteran's Day one year where the staff was invited to give personal thank you's and share stories. I've never forgotten how much it meant to those two to hear a younger generation say the words "Thank You."
Thanks for reminding me of the veterans with that story :)
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